Susan Grabel

the venus cycle

Cast Paper Sculptures
2008–2013

The Venus Cycle explores the reality of the older woman’s body, un-idealized and imprinted with life’s experiences, Society’s emphasis on female beauty as youthful and slender belies what women see when they look in the mirror and discounts the grace and strength of older women’s bodies. With a brazen acceptance, Grabel normalizes the changing seasons of the female form.

Using proliferation of forms, Grabel demonstrates the power in unity as the aging female body is unleashed, reemerging from the constraints of societal perception. She uses color and the layering of fragments to exemplify the beauty and grace of the form as an organic shape, an expression of nature.

Here She Is

Here She Is [HSI001(10)]

2013,

cast paper,

h48 w44 d50 inches

North Frieze of the Legendary Crone Goddess Temple

Arch of Venus

2013,

cast paper,

h45 w78 d2½ inches

Venus Inside and Out

Venus Inside and Out [VIO001]

2008,

cast paper,

h19 w12 d11 inches

Coming Out

Coming Out [CMO001]

2008,

cast paper, wood,

h25 w17 d11 inches

North Frieze of the Legendary Crone Goddess Temple

North Frieze of the Legendary Crone Goddess Temple [NF001]

2009,

cast paper, wood,

h32 w45 d3 inches

Cornucopia #1

Cornucopia #1 [CP001]

2008,

cast paper, wood,

h15 wd9 inches

Cornucopia #1

Cornucopia #2 [CP002]

2008,

cast paper, basket,

h14½ w9 d9 inches

The Three Graces

The Three Graces

2012

cast paper,

h35 w40 d7 inches

Venus in Full Color

Venus in Full Color [VIFC007]

2012,

cast paper, acrylic paint,

h19½ w13½ d2½ inches

Venus in Full Color

Venus in Full Color [VIFC001]

2010,

cast paper, acrylic paint,

h19 w17 d5½ inches

Venus in Full Color

Venus in Full Color [VIFC006]

2011,

cast paper, acrylic paint,

h13½" w12 d3½ inches

Venus in Full Color

Venus in Full Color [VIFC002]

2010

cast paper, acrylic paint,

h20 w14 d5 inches

Venus in Full Color

Venus in Full Color [VIFC003]

2010,

cast paper, acrylic paint,

h15 w9 d4 inches